Media Release

Yesterday's National Press Club address by the Health Minister was a missed opportunity to reassure people with intellectual disability and their families at a time of heightened uncertainty, the Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health says.

Centre Director, Scientia Professor Julian Trollor said many people with intellectual disability are currently anxious about the future of their supports and continuity of care.

15 per cent of the participants in the NDIS - almost 90,000 people - have a primary disability of intellectual disability. Of those, 20 per cent aged 18 years and over are in supported independent living.

"Yesterday was an opportunity to provide clear reassurance to people who rely on the NDIS every day. Instead, there remains uncertainty about how changes will be managed and what they will mean for people's essential supports," Professor Trollor said.

Professor Trollor said the national conversation on the NDIS needs to move beyond a narrow focus on costs.

"For people with intellectual disability, the scheme exists because broader systems have not met their needs. Reform must be grounded in inclusion, human rights and access to quality care."

He said measures to address fraud and improve quality are important, but must be properly resourced and designed to protect the dignity and rights of people with intellectual disability.

Professor Trollor also noted the absence of innovation and opportunity to improve how the NDIS will better connect with other support systems.

"Stronger alignment between disability and health systems is critical if we are serious about improving outcomes," he said.

The Centre said it will continue to work with government to support reforms that keep people with intellectual disability at the centre of the scheme.

Media contact: Alana Mew - 0419 929 722
alana.mew@essentialmedia.com.au